Bat 17 is the prime example of getting what you pay for. The prices are high enough to make you faint, but the food’s high quality and taste satisfies enough to forget your empty pocket.

As a lonely Fall Quarter freshman without friends or support, I used to go to Bat 17 every Saturday to watch college football games. I loved trying the various kinds of sandwiches and appetizers they had, especially when cheering on our then-shockingly good Northwestern football team. I would save up my money during the week and only eat in dining halls on weekdays so I could afford to go to Bat 17 on Saturdays.

If you’re in the mood for beef, I recommend any burger, as they’re all great. The Ricky-Bobby Burger, whose hot sauce and pepper jack cheese gives it a flavorful kick, is usually my go-to. If I’m ever incredibly hungry, I spring for The Terminator, which is the equivalent of two full burgers stacked atop each other. One of my most cherished memories of my first year was downing a Terminator while watching NU beat Michigan State en route to the Big Ten title game. If you’re in the mood for chicken, I recommend Blue Lightning, a spicy chicken sandwich similar to the Ricky-Bobby Burger.

Even though my freshman fall is far behind me, I still relish the chances I get to eat at Bat 17 — it’s a place you have to try.

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Twitter: @SOrtiz2000